Cuban Military Ministry Issues Vague Statement on Holguín Armory Explosions

The Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) announced on Friday that evacuees have returned home following explosions at a military warehouse in Holguín's Melones community. However, the ministry avoided detailing any specific "actions" to locate the 13 missing individuals.

In an initial statement, MINFAR stated, "Continuing the response to the sensitive incident at a military site in Melones, Rafael Freyre municipality, on January 7, and considering the current situation, the Provincial Defense Council, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and the Ministry of the Interior have decided to allow the return of protected residents to their homes, as the previous risk radius no longer poses a threat due to the accident's effects."

The military entity claimed it is conducting "specialized actions," yet failed to clarify what these entail or their objectives. They assured that access to the site will be granted when conditions allow, with all necessary protective measures, and maintained communication with the families of the missing, updating the public regularly.

Public reactions on Facebook were filled with outrage over MINFAR's evasive nature. Citizens criticized the government for its lack of transparency, accusing them of misleading the people with inadequate information.

"This country is a social disaster. They claimed there was no danger, yet an evacuation was necessary. They treat the public like children with their lies. Thanks to the internet, people can stay informed because official news outlets provide minimal information," one commenter expressed.

Another individual remarked, "If official media were our only source, no one would know anything. They'd fabricate some lie as always. A floral tribute, a few meaningless medals for the deceased, and a cynical 'I'm sorry,' and that's it."

Explosions Persist

Joel Queipo Ruíz, the First Secretary of the Party in the province, also mentioned "specialized actions" that are supposedly ongoing. Though he did not elaborate, he noted that entry to the specific site of the incident is prohibited until the explosions cease.

This crucial information was conspicuously absent from MINFAR's confusing statement. Queipo Ruíz explained, "Access to the specific site is impossible due to ongoing explosions, albeit less intense than previous days, but still dangerous to human safety. Once conditions allow, the site will be accessed with all established protective measures."

Meanwhile, families of the 13 missing individuals are frustrated with the authorities' inaction in rescuing their loved ones. "They haven't searched at all. They told the families they couldn't because it might trigger more explosions and risk more lives, advising a 72-hour wait," said Jesús Antonio, uncle of missing recruit Liander José García Oliva, 19 years old.

Antonio added, "They visited the parents and said there was no chance of survival, claiming anyone alive would have attempted to escape. It hurts because they declared them dead without searching."

Residents of Melones were gripped by panic and fear on Tuesday when explosions erupted from a burning army ammunition warehouse. Initially, many stayed in their homes but soon realized fleeing was the safer option.

Videos on social media captured the community's terror as explosions rang out, with confusion about the cause. People rushed from their homes, calling out to one another.

Hours after the incident, the Revolutionary Armed Forces Ministry confirmed 13 are missing: four officers and nine soldiers, whom many presume dead. The tragedy was triggered by a fire during the sorting of outdated munitions.